Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Today’s Walk Was Dedicated in Honor of Marine/Army Veteran SSG Dustin Lee Parker
Today, August 10th, our walk was dedicated in loving memory and honor of Marine/Army Veteran SSG Dustin Lee Parker, age 39, of Crossville, Tennessee.
Dustin passed away on August 10, 2019.
Dustin was a graduate of Cumberland County High School. He proudly served 6½ years in the United States Marine Corps and 8 years in the United States Army. His commitment to serving others extended beyond his military service as well. Dustin was also a Volunteer Firefighter from 2004–2010, dedicating his time to helping and protecting his community.
Today’s walk was especially meaningful as we came together to bring awareness to Veteran Suicide. Every step we take is a reminder that our Veterans matter, their lives matter, and their stories must never be forgotten.
I met up with Donna, Melanie, Angie, Alexis, Saylor, Stacy, Beverly, and Bruce at Veterans Memorial Park, and together we began our 2.2-mile walk in Dustin’s honor.
We made it to the halfway point when I received an emergency call that required me to leave the walk. Although I wasn’t able to complete the entire route, I am incredibly thankful that the rest of our group continued on and completed the full 2.2 miles.
I hope to be able to complete the entire walk next year.
Today wasn’t just about walking miles. It was about remembering a life, honoring a Veteran, supporting those who continue to struggle, and reminding others that they are never alone.
We must continue talking about Veteran Suicide. We must continue bringing awareness to it. And most importantly, we must continue reaching out, listening, and letting our Veterans know that it is okay to ask for help.
Dustin gave years of his life in service to our country and community. Today, we took steps to make sure his name continues to be remembered.
We will never forget you, Marine/Army Veteran SSG Dustin Lee Parker. 🇺🇸
Honor. Respect. Remember.
I will be posting links to the video of everyones walk later tomorrow. It will be added to this post. Thank you
